Concordia's Story Exchange Captures International Attention

Concordia is a pioneering member of N4, an international organization that understands the power of storytelling and the empathy it creates. Co-founded by National Book Award-winning author Colum McCann, the organization is working to help develop the first generation of truly empathic leaders and citizens. Hundreds of members in five countries and 10 states in the U.S. explore the role stories play in our global culture.

The story exploration in Moorhead centered on refugee resettlement. Though resettlement has had a long history in North Dakota, religious and racial tensions in the region have begun to bubble up.

"What had been hidden a long time was starting to erupt," Dr. Dawn Duncan, Concordia's Narrative 4 director, told the BBC. "[I wanted to] allow everyone in the room to meet and tell each other stories in a way that takes us away from this heated debate."

Stories on the story exchange:

Watch Arday Ardayfio '02 swap stories with Damon Ouradnik, a 40-year-old automation technician, on BBC News.

Read Patrick Springer’s story in The Forum.

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